PATNA WOMEN’S COLLEGE

AUTONOMOUS

PATNA UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
ASSIGNMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

TOPIC: GANDHI’S VIEW ON SATYAGRAHA

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Ms. Jyoti Mam Aditi Priyadarshini
Assistant Professor BA (SEM II)
Department of Political Science Roll No. 115
Form Id: F-2022-
1562
Session: 2022-25
Department of
Geography
Introduction
The idea of satyagraha was introduced in India by Mahatma Gandhi as a
determined and non-violent resistance to evil. This concept of satyagraha
became a tool for India to fight against British imperialism. The
practitioners of the idea of satyagraha are called satyagrahis.

Gandhiji’s Idea of Satyagraha

When Mahatma Gandhi started the Satyagraha Movement in India in 1915,
he had little idea of how popular the movement will become and eventually
help India gain independence. Gandhiji’s idea of satyagraha included the
following:

 Satyagraha was a mass agitation that did not use any violence and
was based on facts.
 Gandhiji believed that if the cause of the issue was true and the
fight was against injustice, the fight would definitely be won.
 Satyagraha involved winning the battle by appealing to the
oppressors and avoid non-violent means.
Satyagraha emphasized the power of truth and the need to fight for the
truth

Movements where Satyagraha was used

Satyagraha became one of the most important and detrimental tools in
India’s fight against the British and the national movements based on this
idea shook the Britishers. The most prominent movements where
satyagraha was used as the main weapon were:

 1917 Champaran Satyagraha

The first satyagraha movement was in the Champaran district of Bihar
where the movement was launched to support the cause of workers in
indigo plantations. The planters were exploiting the workers and were
forcing them to mandatorily cultivate indigo on a specific part of their
landholdings. Gandhiji, after being appointed as one of the members of the
Commission that looked into the matter launched a satyagraha movement
to help the workers get their dues. As a result of the movement, the planters
paid 25% of the amount they had illegally taken from the workers.

 1918 Ahmedabad Satyagraha

Mill owners in Ahmedabad attracted workers with a 75% increase in pay
during the plague. Once plague subsided, the mill owners wanted to bring
down the pat to 20% which the workers of the mills objected to. Gandhiji
tried to talk with the owners, but failed and asked the workers to go on a
strike. However, when he saw the strike subsiding, he, himself went on a
fast which put pressure on the mill owners as well as the authorities. As a
result, the mill owners agreed to pay a 35% increment in the pay.

1918 Kheda Satyagraha

During this movement, Gandhiji teamed up with Sardar Vallabhbai Patel to
fight for the peasants who were in distress because of low crop production.
According to the revenue code, the peasants were entitled to a full
concession, but the government did not want to let go of the revenue.
Gandhiji asked the peasants to fight against injustice and also asked the
rich farmers to not pay revenue. When the British government asked the
rich farmers to pay revenue, they did not agree and the government had to
let go of the revenue to help the peasants.

 1919 Rowlatt Satyagraha

The Rowlatt Satyagraha was launched to protest an act that the British
government had introduced. This law allowed the government to arrest any
protesting Indian without a warrant and detain the person for two years.
Gandhiji called for a nationwide strike by fasting and praying. However,
there were many violent outbreaks and the movement was called off.

 1930 Salt Satyagraha

This movement was launched to protest against the British Law that forced
Indians to purchase low-quality salt at high prices from the British.
Gandhiji launched a 241-mile-long protest march to the west coast of
Gujarat. Here, in the Arabian Sea, he along with the protestors harvested
salt.

Conclusion
The idea of Gandhiji’s Satyagraha in many ways helped India win its
independence. Satyagraha was adopted as a tool by many to fight for their
cause. The Norwegians, for example, adopted an effective non-violent
resistance against the Germans during the Second World War. Even today,
the idea of Satyagraha can be seen adopted by many people in different
parts of the world to fight against injustice.